Govt to enforce miners’ insurance policy – Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enforcing insurance policy for mine workers in the country.

According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Friday, representing President Bola Tinubu during a condolence visit to Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, in Minna, Alake, conveyed the President’s sympathies following the recent mine pit collapse in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area.

The minister said the move was necessary to avert another incident or mitigate the impact of the mining pit incident, which resulted in the entrapment of over 50 workers and fatalities.

“I bring the condolences and sympathies of Mr President to the families of victims, those injured, the entire community, and the government and people of Niger State on the mine pit collapse. It is unfortunate and avoidable. Though we learned the disaster was due to heavy downpours, we are committed to intensifying the monitoring of mining operations to ensure conformity to environmental standards,” Alake stated.

On June 3, a mining site at the Galadima Kogo community in Shiroro LGA in Niger State collapsed after a heavy downpour, trapping more than 20 workers.

It was reported that seven workers were rescued, while about 14 people were still trapped.

On Thursday, the Niger State Police Command said a lack of equipment and heavy rocks stalled the rescue of the remaining workers trapped in the mining pit.

During the visit, the minister commended the state government for swiftly mobilising emergency rescue operations in collaboration with federal agencies, stressing that all efforts must be made to rescue those still trapped.

To enhance safety measures and provide relief to miners and their families in the event of accidents, Alake declared that insurance policies for miners across the country would be enforced.

He also emphasised the Federal Government’s stance that remediation plans must accompany mining license applications, stating that irresponsible mining operations posing threats to the environment and communities would no longer be tolerated.

“We must also put in place contingency plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on mining sites. For instance, making the installation of support pillars under shafts mandatory. This practice is common in other countries,” he added.

Governor Bago expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the condolence visit and emphasised the need for a concerted effort between the Federal Government and subnationals to ensure mining companies comply with safety standards.

He advocated the strengthening of collaborative measures to enhance periodic monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact of mining operations to minimise the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

Citing the quantity of commercially viable critical minerals in the state, Bago appealed to the Federal Government to focus on making the state the pivot of developing the nation’s mining sector.

He accompanied the minister to visit recuperating victims at IBB Specialist Hospital.

On behalf of President Tinubu, Alake announced a donation of N50m to assist affected patients and families.